‘Spreadsheets of empire’: red tape goes back 4,000 years, say scientists after Iraq finds

Ancient Mesopotamian stone tablets show extraordinary detail and reach of government in cradle of world civilisations
The red tape of government bureaucracy spans more than 4,000 years, according to new finds from the cradle of the world’s civilisations, Mesopotamia.
Hundreds of administrative tablets – the earliest physical evidence of the first empire in recorded history – have been discovered by archaeologists from the British Museum and Iraq. These texts detail the minutiae of government and reveal a complex bureaucracy – the red tape of an ancient civilisation.
Continue reading...
Read more at The Guardian
Topics
-
Reeves to meet regulators in drive to cut red tape
The chancellor will unveil plans to cut bureaucracy as the government continues its bid to slash red tape.BBC News - 19m -
Businesses bemoan Indian ‘tax terrorism’ and red tape
Officials vow to cut bureaucracy and fiscal burden amid fears they could hurt investmentFinancial Times - Mar. 9 -
Portugal’s Government Falls in No-Confidence Vote After Just a Year
The vote in Parliament will force new elections, the third in little more than three years.The New York Times - 5d -
Gold’s going to reach $4,000, says Gundlach. He also puts recession probability at 60%.
The so-called bond king has been a gold bull for a while, and he says the yellow metal will get to $4,000.MarketWatch - 3d -
What to know about the collapse of Portugal's government
Portugal has slid back into more political uncertainty after its third government fell in as many years when Prime Minister Luis Montenegro lost a confidence vote in ParliamentABC News - 4d -
Independent government oversight is dying
The more than 45 years of bipartisan support for independent oversight — oversight that has demonstrably improved government services and saved billions of taxpayer dollars — may be coming to an end.The Hill - 4d -
Hundreds of Civilians Killed by Government Forces in Syria, War Monitors Say
More than 1,000 people have been killed in fighting between forces of the new government and remnants of the ousted regime, according to a war monitor, which said about 700 were civilians.The New York Times - Mar. 9 -
Woman charged after allegedly holding her stepson captive for more than 20 years
Kimberly Sullivan is accused of cruelty and abusing her stepson for more than 20 years. Police say the victim, a 32-year-old man, said he was kept locked away in a room since he was 11 years old. ...CBS News - 3d -
Former England player Dele Alli gets sent off after 9 minutes in first soccer match in two years
Dele Alli’s first professional appearance in more than two years lasted just nine minutes before he was sent off. The former England international was shown a straight red card late on in Como’s ...Yahoo Sports - 1d
More from The Guardian
-
Kremlin confirms Trump-Putin call on Tuesday as European leaders question Russia’s intentions – Europe live
Russian leader and US president to speak by phone and discuss Ukraine ceasefire plan. Mark Carney, the new Canadian prime minister, has arrived in Paris on his first stop of a visit to France ...The Guardian - 19m -
Houthis and US both vow escalation after wave of deadly American airstrikes in Yemen – Middle East crisis live
US says airstrikes are intended to deter rebel group from attacking Red Sea shipping. Germany is pledging a further €300m ($326m; £252m) in aid for Syrians through the UN and select organisations, ...The Guardian - 26m -
Canada PM Carney visits France and UK as Trump trade war deepens
Carney aims to bolster European alliances in wake of US president’s attacks on Canada’s sovereignty. Mark Carney, the new Canadian prime minister, has arrived in Paris on his first stop of a visit ...The Guardian - 1h -
Italy one of five ‘dismantlers’ causing ‘democratic recession’ in Europe, report says
Civil liberties report warns that Italy along with Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Slovakia intentionally undermining rule of law ‘in nearly all aspects’. Italy’s government has profoundly ...The Guardian - 7h -
Japan to deploy long-range missiles able to hit North Korea and China
Planned missiles on Kyushu said to be part of ‘counterstrike capabilities’, as fears grow over US security pact. Japan is planning to deploy long-range missiles on its southern island of Kyushu ...The Guardian - 24m
More in World
-
Kremlin confirms Trump-Putin call on Tuesday as European leaders question Russia’s intentions – Europe live
Russian leader and US president to speak by phone and discuss Ukraine ceasefire plan. Mark Carney, the new Canadian prime minister, has arrived in Paris on his first stop of a visit to France ...The Guardian - 19m -
China plans to ‘vigorously boost consumption’ to shore up economy
Communist party aims to ‘promote reasonable wage growth’ and to reduce financial burdens amid Trump tariffs. Business live – latest updates China’s government has announced ambitious plans to ...The Guardian - 19m -
China plans to ‘vigorously boost consumption’ to shore up economy
Communist party aims to ‘promote reasonable wage growth’ and to reduce financial burdens amid Trump tariffs. Business live – latest updates China’s government has announced ambitious plans to ...The Guardian - 19m -
False claims about Ethiopia’s pursuit of Red Sea access add to tensions with Eritrea
Yahoo News - 21m -
False claims about Ethiopia’s pursuit of Red Sea access add to tensions with Eritrea
Yahoo News - 21m